Darlene Claire Nuccio

Born on February 8, 1947, in Nyack, New York, Darlene's journey was one of warmth, kindness, and an unwavering passion for making the world a better place. She passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2024 at the age of 77, surrounded by her family and leaving behind memories in the hearts of all who knew her.

She was a beloved mother to Tracy (John) and Nicholas (Ashley), a loving step-mother to Bob(Barbara), Laura (John, deceased), Thomas (Marie), Kevin (Tish), Marcy (Kris) and Lee(deceased). She was born to Bernard and Lillian Friel and was the oldest of four children. She is predeceased by her brother, Gary,and her sister, Christine, leaving behind her youngest brother, Martin.

She married in 1970 to Dominick Nuccio, known to family and friends as “Red.” They shared a loving and devoted 21 years together until his passing in 1991 from cancer. She found love again with Carl Silverman, and they spent 27 years together until his death from Parkinsons in 2018. She loved both her husbands immensely and took care of them until the end of their lives.

Darlene wore many hats throughout her remarkable career as a nurse for over 40 years. Her compassionate nature made it so that she thrived in various roles. Her most cherished professional accomplishment was being the founder of the pet therapy program at the Ruth Taylor Nursing Home. Her beloved dog, Daisy, was a star in that program, bringing joy and comfort to residents, just as Darlene envisioned. Her home was a menagerie of joy, from her cherished German Shepherd, Max, whose presence was a constant comfort, to her current little Bichon companion, Baby, a furry testament to her nurturing nature. And let's not forget Petunia,the flamboyant adopted pig in Sedona, Arizona -Darlene was nothing if not fiercely unique.

Darlene's family and friends were her life; she lit up when she saw them. She was truly loved by everyone that met her. Darlene’s generosity and kindness touched many lives; she was the most accepting person. She took the saying, “Never judge a book by its cover,” very seriously and always looked for the good in everyone. She had an adventurous spirit. She was always up for anything - especially if a glass of Pinot Grigio or a beach was involved. One of her favorite places was the Jersey Shore, where she and Red vacationed every summer. She then moved with Carl to a little beach house in Seaside Park, which we are lucky enough to still have in the family because of her step-daughter, Laura. She leaves behind many grandchildren, who will all miss her dearly. The Darlene-shaped hole in their hearts cannot be filled. But, her joy for life, love for animals, and kindness will be carried with them for the rest of their lives. Please join us in the remembrance and celebration of Darlene’s beautiful life.

A visiting for Darlene will be held Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service Inc., 321 South Main Street, New City, NY 10956. Following the visiting will be a funeral service higgins fh at 7:30 PM.